Physiological object displays

Abstract

The disclosed invention relates to systems and methods for obtaining physiological information from patients and displaying that information in an intuitive and logical format to a physician. Object displays are disclosed that are capable of visually displaying critical information in real time to allow physicians to quickly perceive the importance of changing patient values.

1 . A data object for visually displaying information of a ventilator and air intake of a patient in real time in a manner designed to minimize the cognitive steps required by a user to interpret the information, comprising an object display wherein the object display is divided into at least one object for visually displaying information in real time concerning a volume ventilator or a pressure ventilator and at least one object for visually displaying information in real time concerning a patient, wherein the object for visually displaying information in real time concerning the patient displays in real time physiological information concerning lung compliance, CO 2  elimination and total air volume inhaled (“TVI) and wherein the object display includes at least one intuitive graphical representation or perceptual diagram of certain information.  
     
     
         2 . The data object of  claim 1  wherein the object display visually displays an oscillating bellows or a number of horizontally displaced lines for displaying information in real time as to volume of air flow to the patient.  
     
     
         3 . The data object of  claim 1  wherein horizontally oriented scales are utilized for displaying in real time information concerning the relationship between respiration rate, breath cycle time, inspiration time and expiration time.  
     
     
         4 . The data object of  claim 1  wherein information concerning PIP, MAP and PEEP is visually indicated by markers moving up and down a vertically oriented scale for displaying such information in real time.  
     
     
         5 . The data object of  claim 1  wherein the object display illustrates at least one emergent feature derived from the information and selected from the group consisting of the relationships of certain information to other information, presentation of certain information in context, relation of certain information to a frame of reference, the rate of change for certain information, and presentation of event information.  
     
     
         6 . The data object of  claim 5  wherein the object display visually displays an oscillating bellows or a number of horizontally displaced lines for displaying information in real time as to direction and volume of air flow to the patient.  
     
     
         7 . The data object of  claim 5  wherein horizontally oriented scales are utilized for displaying in real time information concerning the relationship between respiration rate, breath cycle time, inspiration time and expiration time.  
     
     
         8 . The data object of  claim 5  wherein information concerning PIP, MAP and PEEP is visually indicated by markers moving up and down a vertically oriented scale for displaying such information in real time.  
     
     
         9 . The data object of  claim 1 , wherein the object display includes a visual representation of a valve that is closed when a patient is inspiring and open when the patient is expiring.  
     
     
         10 . The data object of  claim 5 , wherein the object display includes a visual representation of a valve that is closed when a patient is inspiring and open when the patient is expiring.  
     
     
         11 . The data object of  claim 1  wherein physiological information is also displayed concerning obstruction of airflow to the patient.  
     
     
         12 . A system for obtaining physiological information and displaying said information in real time in a manner designed to minimize the cognitive steps required by a user to interpret the information, comprising: 
 data acquisition means to acquire data relating to a ventilator and/or a patient connected to the ventilator;    a computer running software configured to map said acquired data onto a data object by relating a least one of said acquired data to at least one other of said acquired data, wherein the data object includes at least intuitive graphical representation or perceptual diagram; and    display means for displaying said data object wherein the object is divided into at least one object for visually displaying information in real time concerning a volume ventilator or a pressure ventilator and at least one object for visually displaying information in real time concerning air intake of a patient.    
     
     
         13 . A system according to  claim 12 , wherein said data acquisition means is configured to acquire ventilator data selected from the group consisting of the mode of ventilation, ventilator settings, tidal volume, respiratory rate, peak inspiratory pressure, positive end expiratory pressure, plateau pressure, end tidal carbon dioxide, and partial pressure.  
     
     
         14 . The data object of  claim 12  wherein physiological information is also displayed concerning obstruction of airflow to the patient.  
     
     
         15 . A method for obtaining physiological information from a ventilator and displaying said information in real time in a manner designed to minimize the cognitive steps required by a user to interpret the information, said method comprising: 
 acquiring data relating to a ventilator and/or a patient connected to the ventilator;    mapping said acquired data onto a data object by relating at least one of said acquired data to at least one other of said acquired data, wherein the data object includes at least one intuitive graphical representation or perceptual diagram; and    displaying said data object, wherein the object is divided into at least one object for visually displaying information in real time concerning a volume ventilator or a pressure ventilator and at least one object for visually displaying information in real time concerning air intake of a patient.    
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein acquired ventilator data is selected from the group consisting of the mode of ventilation, ventilator settings, tidal volume, respiratory rate, peak inspiratory pressure, positive end expiratory pressure, plateau pressure, end tidal carbon dioxide, and partial pressure.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the step of mapping said data comprises comparing at least one of said acquired data with at least one other data.  
     
     
         18 . The data object of  claim 15  wherein physiological information is also displayed concerning obstruction of airflow to the patient.